Thine Is The Greatness

Q: What does the Bible say about the greatness of God?

The Bible declares that God's greatness encompasses power, glory, victory, and majesty, asserting His sovereign authority over all creation (1 Chronicles 29:11-13). In 1 Chronicles 29:11-13, we see David exclaiming the greatness of God, acknowledging that all power, glory, victory, and majesty are His. This greatness is not comparable to any gods of man's imagination, but speaks to the infinite nature of the one true God. Moses and the Israelites celebrated this greatness after the Red Sea crossing, emphasizing that God's right hand has achieved victory over His enemies (Exodus 15). Furthermore, this greatness means that when men attack God's people, they are, in fact, attacking God Himself, as we are united with Him in Christ.

Q: How do we know God is sovereign over all?

God's sovereignty is confirmed through Scripture, showing His control over all creation and authority over rulers and events in history (Psalm 24:1, John 19:11). The doctrine of God's sovereignty is a key tenet of Reformed theology, illustrated throughout Scripture. For example, Psalm 24:1 states that 'The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof', which affirms God’s absolute ownership and control over everything in existence. Furthermore, in John 19:11, Jesus explains to Pilate that the power he possesses is given to him by God, emphasizing that no authority exists outside of God's sovereign will. This gives believers confidence that nothing occurs without God's purpose and plan being at work.

Q: Why is the concept of God's glory important for Christians?

Understanding God's glory is essential for Christians because it reveals His nature, sovereignty, and the reason for our worship and reverence (Exodus 33:18-19, Isaiah 42:8). God's glory is a profound concept that encompasses His holiness, power, and majesty. It is essential for Christians to grasp this glory because it shapes our understanding of who God is and informs our worship. In Exodus 33:18-19, Moses asks God to show him His glory, and God responds by proclaiming His goodness and sovereignty. Furthermore, Isaiah 42:8 reveals that God is jealous for His glory, which poses a caution against self-righteousness in salvation claims. An accurate view of God's glory leads to a humble and dependent faith, recognizing that it is by His grace we are saved, not by our efforts.

Q: What does the Bible say about God's power?

The Bible illustrates God's power through creation, His authority over life and death, and His ability to redeem sinners (Romans 1:20, 1 Corinthians 15:25). God's power is an essential attribute reflecting His sovereignty and ability to achieve His purposes. Scripture reveals this power in various ways, such as in Romans 1:20, which states that God's invisible attributes are clearly seen through the things He has created. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 15:25 affirms that 'He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet', showcasing God's authoritative rule over all creation, particularly over sin and death. The ultimate demonstration of God's power is in the redemption of sinners, transforming them from death to life, showing that He can make those who are spiritually dead alive in Christ.

Q: How does God's victory assure Christians?

God's victory is assured through His sovereign control over all things and the culmination of His promises in Christ, giving believers hope (1 Corinthians 15:57). God's victory is not just a hopeful prospect but a certain reality anchored in His character and His promises. Psalm 98:1 reminds us to sing a new song because God has done marvelous things, symbolizing His complete victory over His enemies. In 1 Corinthians 15:57, Paul emphasizes that thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. This victory is realized ultimately in the resurrection of Christ, which assures believers that death has been conquered. Hence, Christians can face trials with confidence, knowing that God will ultimately prevail and grant victory to His people.

As I prepared this message, it was my hope that it would exalt the Savior. There's some really good stuff in these verses here. And as I said, verses 11 through 13 will be the main focus of our text today. In verse 10, we read this. Wherefore, David blessed the Lord before all the congregation, and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel, our father forever and ever. And then in verse 11, this is where we're gonna be spending the bulk of our time. In verse 11, we read this.

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty for all that is in heaven and earth is thine. Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and now are exalted as head above all. Now, David begins to list the attributes of this God that we worship, this God that we worship and adore. And first he says this, thine is the greatness. That's what I've titled this message. Thine is the greatness. There is not another God of man's imagination who begins to compare with the God that we worship.

Moses and the children of Israel sang about this greatness in Exodus 11, after the Lord had destroyed Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea. And they sang this, the Lord is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation. The Lord is a man of war.

Thy right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power. Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy, and in the greatness of thine excellency, thou has overthrown them that rose up against thee. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like unto thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praise, doing wonders? Now, I noticed this line says, and thou has overthrown them that rose up against thee.

And anybody that would read that text would understand from man's point of view That Pharaoh didn't rise up against God, he rose up against the children of Israel. But what we need to understand is when men attack the children of God, they attack God himself. Because we're in him, we're told that we're one with him. What did our Lord say in Matthew 25, 40? In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

And after David sinned with Bathsheba and had Uriah put on the front lines of battle to be killed, and Nathan the prophet came to him, and after Nathan confronted him, David said, I have sinned against the Lord. He didn't say I've sinned against Bathsheba. He didn't say I've sinned against Israel. I've sinned against Uriah. He said, I have sinned against the Lord. And later in the Psalms, when he wrote of this, He wrote, against thee and thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight. All sin is not against man, it is against God himself.

Now our God exercises excellent greatness like no other God of man's imagination, which is why these children of Israel sang and asked the question, who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Micah. Asked much the same question in Micah 17 or 718, these verses that we love so much. This is some of the best, in my opinion, as far as cause for rejoicing in all of scripture. Micah asked this question, who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage?

He retaineth not his anger forever. because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again. He will have compassion upon us, and he will subdue all our iniquities, and now shall cast all their sins into the depth of the sea, into the sea of the blood of Christ, forever covered and forgotten.

And verse 11 continues, Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power. Now, how do we begin to describe the power of our God. One who possesses so much power, he can merely think and speak this enormous universe into being. The power to bring men back to life, the power to heal a man blind from birth with merely the touch of his hand, the power to cure leprosy with merely a word. and to die himself and then rise again back to life. His life of which he said, I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my father.

But the greatest demonstration of the power of our God is shown in making sinners who are black as coal with sin to be white as snow before him pure and holy in his sight. That's truly astonishing. To stave off the sure punishment of sin, to bring home the prodigal sons and daughters to himself and make them join heirs with Christ, to make us partakers of his resurrection, and to present us faultless before his presence with exceeding joy.

Now, verse 11 of our text continues, and it says, Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory. Now, God's glory is shown in his sovereign choice of who he gives faith to and of whom he withdraws it from. We read of this in Exodus 33, starting in verse 18. This is Moses speaking unto the Lord God, and he said, I beseech thee Show me thy glory. And he, God, said, I will make my goodness to pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee, and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy to whom I will show mercy. This is how the glory of our gracious God is shown to men. It is seen in the almighty sovereign choice of our Lord Jesus Christ. to pick some and to leave others. You remember he made that statement, the disciples asked him why he spoke to the crowd in parables.

He told them, he said, to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to them it is not given. And in Exodus 34, 14, we read this, for thou shall worship no other for the Lord whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. And we're told in Isaiah 42, eight, that our God is jealous of his glory. I am the Lord, he says, that is my name and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Now this is a warning to all the self-righteous good folks who claim they have a hand in their salvation. This word graven images, it certainly has to do with the physical idols that men have set up throughout the ages to worship. But it also has to do with the graven images, the idols that men set up in their own minds of a God who needs their help to bring about their salvation.

And this jealous God will assuredly cast off all such who proclaim such a lie. Jonah had it right. when he said salvation is of the Lord and our God will not allow any infringement of his glory from sinners claiming to have a hand in their salvation. He will most certainly proclaim to them in the last day of judgment what we read in Matthew 7 23. I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity. It is a work of iniquity. for men to claim a hand in their salvation when it is 100% the choice of a sovereign God.

Now, this verse 11 of our text continues, Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory. The victory of the Lord in all things is certain. You can be sure of it. He cannot fail. He is incapable of failure. Victory means the achievement of mastery over an enemy or antagonist. Now, how does this God that we worship achieve this victory?

Psalm 98 one tells us exactly how it says, Oh, sing unto the Lord a new song for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his own holy arm have gotten him the victory in nine chapters before this. We read about that same mighty arm and right hand in Psalm 89 13. Thou hast a mighty arm, strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. And we just read a few minutes ago about this in Exodus 15. Now, throughout the scriptures, we read of the mighty right hand of our God, especially in the Psalms. And that right hand accomplishes victory for him and his chosen people. He has achieved victory both for himself and for us over all his enemies, In all of mine, 1 Corinthians 15, 25 speaks of this very thing.

It says, he must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Now when our precious savior rose from the grave, he proved to all the world that he has all power, even power over death. This is how Paul could write. of that last enemy that shall be destroyed. He said that death is swallowed up in victory. Oh, death, where is I sting? Oh, grave, where is I victory? Now, death has no victory over the believer because Paul told the Corinthians, but thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory.

And this is how through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who overcame this last enemy, both for himself and for his chosen people. And going back to Psalm 98 one, we just read, it says also, oh, sing unto the Lord a new song because he has done marvelous things. And I got thinking about that.

Most human beings, including myself, go through life doing mediocre things, just doing what we have to do, working and raising a family and so forth. Very few people can ever be said to have accomplished marvelous things. But when you think about it, every single thing that our God does, ever has done, ever will do, is marvelous. From that first verse in Genesis, where he spoke this enormous, enormous universe into being, to the last final act that he records in Revelation 22, 20. It says, surely I come quickly. All of these are unimaginably marvelous.

I dare anyone to show me an act of our God that could not be considered marvelous, to cause wonder, to cause astonishment. But there's one marvelous thing that our God did which stands above every other one of his accomplishments, net death, which our God and Savior accomplished at Jerusalem. use that word purposely, that he accomplished at Jerusalem. Only our God could imagine and then accomplish such a task. To become a flesh and blood human being and experience all the temptations that we experience and yet without sin, to become that perfect Passover lamb that takes away the sin of the world.

And of all the acts that this God does, this is by far to me the most astonishing, the most marvelous. And then verse 11 continues. I know Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty. I looked up this word majesty in the dictionary. I'm a little surprised at the definition. It means sovereign authority or power, a royal bearing, greatness or splendor of character. What a perfect, description of our God. He holds all sovereign power.

What was said of Solomon in First Chronicles 29 25 can certainly be applied to our Lord Jesus Christ. It said this and the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. And no other king has ever possessed such majesty as that which is possessed by our Lord Jesus Christ. God the Father bestowed upon his blessed son, such majesty has never been seen in the history of this world. And because of the son's willingness to humble himself and to die, we're told in Philippians 29, it says, God hath highly exalting him and giving him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Never has there been a king like this king.

Now, surely men have bowed their knees to kings throughout history, but you will never read anywhere where every knee bowed to any king. that this King, our Lord Jesus Christ, will one day see every knee bow and hear every tongue confess that he is Lord. And it is only fitting that he will one day be acknowledged as such. Our minds cannot begin with our wildest, glorious, most glorious imaginations of heaven what our glorious Savior will be when we see him with glorified eyes and worship him with glorified hearts.

Then continuing to read in this verse 11 of our text, it says, for all that is in heaven and earth is thine. Now, Psalm 24, one pretty much says the same thing. It says the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein. And in Ezekiel 18, four, it says, behold, all souls are mine as a soul of the father. So also the soul of the son is mine. Now, our God also tells us in Psalm 50, starting in verse 10, he says, For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the fields are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee, for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.

And then the next words in verse 11, it says, Thine is the kingdom, O Lord. Now, these words certainly refer to both the natural kingdom of men, kings and potentates that they think they rule over, but they most certainly, these words apply to the kingdom of heaven. This one who we worship is called the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is the sovereign ruler over all. Our God puts men in power, and when they have served his purpose, he removes them from power. We hold elections and think we have any say in who goes to a certain office. Our God had determined that long before this world was ever formed. God gives to men the illusion of power, but that power comes from him.

What did our Savior say in John 19 when he stood before Pilate? And he gave no answer to Pilate's question. And starting in verse 10 of this chapter, we read, Then sayeth Pilate unto him, speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and I have power to release thee?

Now I can just imagine this. You've got Pilate sitting in judgment, and this aggravating Jew, he constantly had to deal with the Jews and their problems. This Jew is standing before him. And you have to remember, but by this time, our Lord's face was beaten to where it was unrecognizable. His back had been scourged. No doubt he trailed footprints of blood as he entered this judgment hall.

And Pilate, in all his haughtiness, he said to the Lord, do you know who I am? Men of self-importance, when somebody doesn't, ooh, nice to meet you, they say, do you know who I am in power You know, do you know how much power I hold, how rich I am? And this is what Pilate said to our Savior. Do you not know how much power I have?

I can send you to be killed. And our Lord calmly replied to these words, he said, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above. Therefore, he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. Our Lord said, Listen, pilot, this very one who you're talking down to is the very one giving you the power to stand there and judge me. But so it must be, because that is the reason I came to this earth to be made a bloody sacrifice to pour out my blood on behalf of my people. And many a so called ruler has learned this lesson over time.

Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and Herod come to mind. And what did God say to Pharaoh? He said, even for this same cause have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. I put you on the throne of Egypt, God said to Pharaoh, so that I could drown you and your army in the Red Sea.

And I love the opening verses of Psalm 2. I quote them often. Verse 2, the kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed saying, let us break their bands asunder and cast their cords from us.

And what is the reaction of this God that we serve? Verse four, he that said it in the heavens shall laugh. The Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure. And verse 11 of our text concludes with these words and now are exalted as head above all our God declares that he will be exalted. When we read in Psalm 4610.

Here we find this one who cannot fail whose purpose cannot be frustrated saying this, be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen. I will be exalted in the earth. And we just read in Philippians 2 9, how that our father have highly exalted his son and given him a name, which is above every name. Our Lord tells us, I am the Lord. There is none like me. He is high above all and exalted head overall. Then we come to verse 12 of our text.

It says, both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thy hand is power and might, and in thy hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now, one of the meanings of these riches and honor referred to here, of course, speaks of the physical riches that men acquire.

But our God warns us of the deceitfulness of riches and says in Proverbs 11, 4, riches profit not in the day of wrath. Our Lord asked, what will a man give in exchange for his soul? He would certainly give all his riches gladly if he could. But sadly, men's riches usually serve to only turn their heart away from anything right and good. Luke 18, 24, when our Lord said, how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God.

But the true riches of our God are those that cannot be taken away, those riches found in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, which Paul wrote of when he declared how the God hath made known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had aforeprepared unto glory. When he wrote of the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God, When he wrote about how that we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. When he wrote of how in the ages to come, our God will show unto us the exceeding riches of his grace and his kindness toward us through the Lord Jesus Christ. And then we read these words in verse 12, and thou reignest over all. When this verse says thou reignest over all, it means exactly that.

God directs everything and every person on this earth. He directs the path of an invisible virus that if inhaled would take your life. He directs the path of every speck of dust. He directs the path of every gnat that annoyingly flies around and gets in your face. And he most certainly directs and dictates the steps and thoughts of all men and women to achieve exactly those things which he has purposed from eternity.

I was reading recently about some of the worst disasters in world history, and there have been four that stood out, taking between 830,000 and 4 million lives. literally millions swept into eternity by the hand of this sovereign God, to which some would reply, if that's the God who you worship, I don't want any part of worshiping him.

And if that is your thinking, then most likely this God will grant you your wish. The verse continues, and in thy hand is power and might. Now we've already looked at the power of our God, so I won't belabor the point. The verse goes on and says, And in thy hand it is to make great.

Now there is no greater blessing in this life than that, which is to become, to be made a child of the living God. This is the ultimate level of greatness that can ever be achieved by any mortal man or woman, to be made a joint heir with Christ. We do not become better And we do not become great by any work of our hands, and certainly it doesn't bring about salvation. The scriptures tell us we are made great by the grace and mercy of the God that we worship.

And then verse 12 concludes with the words, and to give strength to all. The only strength that we have is that which is given to us in the person of Christ. John tells us in him, was life, that life is given to all living things on this earth. David wrote of this in Psalm 28, verse 7.

He said, The Lord is my strength and my shield, and my heart trusteth in him, and I am helped. Therefore, my heart greatly rejoitheth, and with my song I will praise him. The Lord is their strength, and he is a saving strength of his anointing. David prays, save thy people, bless thine inheritance, feed them also and lift them up forever. Which is exactly what our God and Savior will do.

He will lift us up to a position that cannot be imagined by a finite mind. To be numbered among those that cannot be numbered. and to do what David wrote up here in the song to praise him with our song, that new song that we read of in Revelation 512. They sing worthy is a lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor, glory and blessing, blessing and honor and glory and power be unto him that saideth upon the throne and unto the lamb forever. Then lastly, we read in verse 13. It says, Now, therefore, our God, we thank thee and praise thy glorious name. David asked the question in Psalm 116, verse 12.

He said, What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits unto me? I will take the cup of salvation. I will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. The only thing that we can offer to our God and Savior is the praise of giving us the cup of salvation, knowing that he could have left us in unbelief and been perfectly just in doing so. And that is what I trust we shall do throughout eternity. We shall give him praise that he loved us and gave himself for us. I pray the Lord will bless that to your heart. Will you come lead us in a song, please?

Thine Is The Greatness

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the greatness of God?

How do we know God is sovereign over all?

Why is the concept of God's glory important for Christians?

What does the Bible say about God's power?

How does God's victory assure Christians?

Sermon Transcript

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Thine Is The Greatness

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the greatness of God?

How do we know God is sovereign over all?

Why is the concept of God's glory important for Christians?

What does the Bible say about God's power?

How does God's victory assure Christians?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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